Bitcoin eyes $72,900 breakout; MARA sells $1.63 billion BTC; new XRP startup emerges
Bitcoin looks set for an “explosive” breakout towards $72,900, according to analyst DonAlt, as institutional investors inject $850 million into U.S. spot exchange-traded funds. This bullish sentiment clashes with mining giant Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), which just cashed out 23,093 Bitcoin for an impressive $1.63 billion to fund its pivot into artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a new tokenless decentralised finance (DeFi) startup for the XRP Ledger is generating buzz, backed by former Ripple and Meta figures and slated for a mid-September 2026 launch.
Bitcoin breakout potential to $72,900
These divergent moves highlight the dynamic and often contradictory forces at play across the cryptocurrency market on August 10, 2026. While some see immediate upside for Bitcoin, others are repositioning for long-term strategic shifts. The market is witnessing a fascinating tug-of-war between speculative trading and fundamental shifts in asset utilisation.
Popular crypto analyst DonAlt has offered a bullish forecast for Bitcoin, suggesting it’s primed for a significant price surge. Despite recent corrections that have kept Bitcoin hovering near the $65,000 mark, DonAlt believes a substantial upward movement is imminent. He recently shared a weekly BTC chart, noting that the current consolidation phase implies an impending explosion.
DonAlt dismissed the current resistance level as “garbage,” asserting that it won’t pose a serious impediment to Bitcoin’s ascent. He indicated that only a “tiny push” is needed for the cryptocurrency to “teleport” directly to its next major target of $72,900. This assessment provides a clear and confident outlook for Bitcoin’s short-to-medium term trajectory.
Institutional buying underpins market resilience
The analyst’s optimistic perspective is bolstered by aggressive institutional buying, which stands in stark contrast to prevailing retail pessimism. U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds have recorded more than $850 million in net inflows over the past five trading days. This sustained influx of capital from large investors suggests a methodical accumulation strategy, even as many individual traders express bearish sentiment.
This dynamic often signals a market bottom, where experienced players capitalise on fear among less experienced participants. DonAlt highlighted this paradox, noting that the extreme bearishness in online comments often precedes a bullish reversal. Such capitulation, he argues, can be a powerful signal that the market has indeed found its floor.
Notably, BlackRock’s IBIT fund accounted for more than 80% of these inflows, bringing in $693 million. This strong institutional demand is forming a robust support level for Bitcoin, currently around $64,812.
The cryptocurrency’s 30-day volatility has also dipped to a 2026 low, signalling that the consolidation phase is drawing to a close and a significant move could be on the horizon. Bitcoin ETFs recorded inflows totaling $853.5 million over five days, reinforcing this trend.
MARA cashes out $1.63 billion in Bitcoin for AI expansion
Marathon Digital Holdings, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency miners, has significantly altered its long-standing “HODL” strategy. According to its latest report for the first half of 2026, MARA sold a substantial 23,093 Bitcoin. This strategic divestment generated an impressive $1.63 billion in cash.
The Bitcoin was sold at an excellent average price of $70,631 per coin, demonstrating smart execution in a favourable market window. This move represents a clear shift in the company’s treasury management. It prioritises liquidity and strategic investment over simply holding onto its mined assets.
Shifting treasury strategy toward high-tech investment
MARA’s decision to liquidate a portion of its Bitcoin holdings isn’t a sign of diminishing confidence in the cryptocurrency. Instead, it reflects a deliberate pivot towards funding aggressive expansion into artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and other high-tech ventures. The company confirmed its intent to deploy this capital into areas such as AI computing and IT sector acquisitions.
Already, MARA has spent $61.1 million on acquiring companies like Exaion and Meerkat, showcasing its commitment to diversifying its operational focus. This strategic re-allocation of capital is transforming Bitcoin from a mere store of value into working capital for innovation. It’s a fascinating development, suggesting a maturing perspective on digital assets within corporate finance.
Despite the significant sale, MARA still retains a substantial reserve of 35,577 BTC, valued at approximately $2.08 billion. The company also mined an additional 4,669 coins during the six-month period, demonstrating continued operational strength.
On August 4, MARA secured an additional $600 million in loans from Coinbase and Two Prime, leveraging part of its Bitcoin holdings as collateral to acquire the Long Ridge facility. MARA’s moves suggest a strategic evolution where digital assets become working capital for growth into high-tech sectors, including AI infrastructure.
The company’s new treasury policy explicitly allows for the sale of Bitcoin from its balance sheet when market conditions or capital requirements warrant such a move. This flexibility allows MARA to adapt to changing economic landscapes and pursue growth opportunities beyond traditional crypto mining.
For instance, the liquidity from pledged BTC could also support a proposed $1.5 billion acquisition of Long Ridge Energy & Power in Ohio. This signals a strategic evolution from pure mining to a broader digital infrastructure player.
New tokenless XRP Ledger DeFi startup generates buzz
The XRP Ledger ecosystem is abuzz with news of a new decentralised finance (DeFi) startup, drawing attention particularly because it involves former executives from both Ripple and Meta. Ripple ecosystem growth manager Tatsuya Korogi publicly endorsed the project with a “Bullish” comment, generating significant speculation. The launch is reportedly scheduled for mid-September 2026, adding to the anticipation.
The announcement originated from BiasGoose, a former Ripple employee now handling marketing for Walrus Protocol, a decentralised data-storage network. The involvement of individuals with strong ties to tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. is also a key point of interest. Korogi himself transitioned to Ripple directly from Meta, and Walrus Protocol was founded by ex-Meta employees from the Mysten Labs team.
A new model for decentralised finance in the XRP ecosystem
While specific details are still emerging, the upcoming startup aims to offer practical DeFi tools. These tools are designed to leverage the XRP Ledger’s high transaction speed, combining it with decentralised data storage capabilities crucial for artificial intelligence agents. This focus suggests a move away from purely speculative DeFi models.
Crucially, BiasGoose revealed that the creators have deliberately opted against issuing their own token, adopting the slogan “No liquidity extraction; we all win.” This approach seeks to differentiate the project by promising returns tied exclusively to serving real businesses, rather than relying on speculative tokenomics.
It’s a bold experiment in the DeFi space, which has often been criticised for its reliance on native tokens for value creation.
If the developers can prove the viability of a DeFi model without its own token, this project could set a significant precedent for the XRP Ledger and the broader decentralised finance sector.
With about a month remaining until its official release, the crypto community will be watching closely to see if this tokenless approach can truly deliver on its promise of sustainable, real-world utility within the wider DeFi landscape.
Crypto market outlook: Aggressive U.S. ETF buying collides with major UK blockchain regulatory shift
Beyond the individual narratives of Bitcoin’s potential breakout, MARA’s strategic cash-out, and the new XRP DeFi venture, the broader crypto market continues to evolve. Notably, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has made a significant move, opening the door for investment funds to use public blockchains for settlements. This regulatory shift could unlock substantial inflows of traditional banking capital into the digital asset space.
The FCA, in collaboration with leading banks, has also launched frameworks for the commercial tokenisation of physical gold. This initiative further bridges the gap between conventional financial assets and blockchain technology. Such regulatory developments indicate a growing acceptance and integration of digital assets within established financial systems, not just a passing trend.
Meanwhile, the market is also seeing progress in other blockchain projects, such as the Zcash migration. The move from the Orchard pool to the upgraded Ironwood shielded architecture is now 60% complete, with over 1.97 million ZEC successfully migrated.
Aggressive U.S. spot ETF buying, coupled with corporate treasuries like Strive purchasing $9.5 million worth of BTC at an average price of $64,812, has solidified support for Bitcoin. This corporate confidence, along with the decline in Bitcoin’s 30-day volatility to a yearly low, suggests that the market is nearing the end of its consolidation.
All signs point to a powerful breakout from its current range in the coming weeks, as the market looks for its next direction. Bitcoin ETF inflows recorded $853.5 million in five days.
The collective impact of institutional demand, strategic corporate manoeuvres, innovative DeFi developments, and progressive regulatory frameworks paints a complex but ultimately forward-looking picture for digital currencies. Investors are navigating a landscape where traditional finance increasingly intersects with decentralised technologies. This convergence promises to redefine asset management and market dynamics for years to come.